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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A300

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
45
Overall
47

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A300 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Revealed April 2009
Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Launched January 2008
  • Refreshed by Sony A330
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A300 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A300, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the A300 (10MP) is relatively well matched but the FS12 (1/2.3") and A300 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The FS12 was released 15 months after the A300 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the FS12 scores versus the A300 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony A300

 FS12 A300 
LaunchedApril 2009January 2008More modern by 15 months

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Panasonic FS12

 A300 FS12 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A300

 FS12 A300 
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS12 offers external dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Sony A300 has dimensions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FS12 and Sony A300 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the FS12 versus the A300.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A300 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FS12 and A300 is 95 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes simply by checking a spec sheet. The pic here will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS12 and A300.

As you can see, both of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The FS12 due to its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Panasonic FS12 will give you extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The fresher FS12 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A300 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
Portrait photography with Sony A300
21
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
59
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
Sony A300 as a Street photography camera
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
74
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography info
Sony A300 Sports photography info
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
54
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography advice
Sony A300 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
45
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A300 as a Landscape photography camera
28
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
57
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7")
megapixel count low (10MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS12
Vlogging with Sony A300
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone support
9
can't record video
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony A300
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-04-17 2008-01-30
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 129 gr (0.28 lbs) 632 gr (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 538
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal Compact Flash
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $228 $0